Flow controllers

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for selecting a flow rate of a fluid includes an axle including an elongated cylindrical member having flow paths, each flow path being defined by a corresponding set of radial holes, each set of radial holes comprising at least one radial hole that extends substantially between an outer surface of the axle and an interior cavity of the axle, and a barrel including an elongated cylindrical member within which the axle is disposed, the barrel having input ports and an output port, the barrel being configured to enable the axle to rotate about an axis of rotation that extends along a length of the axle, wherein a flow rate of a fluid is selected by rotating the axle to a position so that a set of radial holes is in alignment with one or more ports of the barrel.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.11/626,129, filed Jan. 23, 2007, the content of which is incorporatedherein by reference.

BACKGROUND

This description relates to flow controllers.

A flow controller regulates the flow rate of a fluid from a source,e.g., a fluid pump, to a final receiving point, e.g., a patient, throughone or more fluid-carrying channels, e.g., silicone-based tubes. In thecontext of a patient receiving medication, a flow controller allows foradjustment of the dose of medication as deemed appropriate duringtherapy. Flow controllers have been used in conjunction with fluid pumpsthat have fixed rates of flow output.

Typically, flow controllers operate on the concept that flow rates of afluid through a fluid-carrying channel vary according to the diameter ofa lumen of the channel, or according to a length of the channel, ifother factors such as temperature and viscosity remain constant. This isbased on Bernoulli's Principle. Conventional flow controllers achievedifferent flow rates by pinching off (e.g., clamping, pressing oroccluding) one or more fluid-carrying channels using a teeth/groove orplunger (spring and non-spring loaded) mechanism, or by selectivelyopening and closing one or more fluid-carrying channels using a cammechanism. Over time, such mechanical mechanisms have led to reducedstructural integrity of the fluid-carrying channels even though pliablematerials such as silicone tubes are used to reduce memory relatedissues. Such mechanical mechanisms have also employed leak-prone complexcouplings to connect the desired fluid-carrying channel(s) to a distalend of the flow. In addition, flow controllers have not been easilyportable due to complexity and size.

SUMMARY

In general, in one aspect, an apparatus for selecting a flow rate of afluid includes an axle including an elongated cylindrical member havingflow paths, each flow path being defined by a corresponding set ofradial holes, each set of radial holes comprising at least one radialhole that extends substantially between an outer surface of the axle andan interior cavity of the axle, and a barrel including an elongatedcylindrical member within which the axle is disposed, the barrel havinginput ports and an output port, the barrel being configured to enablethe axle to rotate about an axis of rotation that extends along a lengthof the axle, wherein a flow rate of a fluid is selected by rotating theaxle to a position so that a set of radial holes is in alignment withone or more ports of the barrel.

Implementations may include one or more of the following features. Theapparatus further includes a holding reservoir including an input portand output ports, the input port for introducing the fluid into theholding reservoir, each output port for dispensing fluid from theholding reservoir. The holding reservoir is in fluid communication witha source of the fluid through a delivery line coupled to the input portof the holding reservoir. The source of the fluid includes a fluid pump.The apparatus further includes fluid-carrying channels, eachfluid-carrying channel being coupled to a respective one of the outputport of the holding reservoir. The interior cavity of the axle is influid communication with a destination of the fluid through a deliveryline coupled to the output port of the barrel when a rotation of theaxle results in a radial hole of the axle being in alignment with theoutput port of the barrel. The destination of the fluid includes apatient. The apparatus further includes N fluid-carrying channels, whereN is an integer greater than or equal to two, each fluid-carryingchannel being coupled to a respective one of the input ports of thebarrel. Each fluid-carrying channel includes a micro bore tube thatcontrols a rate at which fluid passes through the fluid-carryingchannel. The fluid-carrying channels have micro bore tubes of one ormore diameters. The fluid-carrying channels have micro bore tubes of oneor more lengths. The axle includes 2 ^(N) flow paths, where N is aninteger greater than or equal to two. The set of radial holescorresponding to a first of the 2^(N) flow paths includes only oneradial hole. The set of radial holes corresponding to a first of the2^(N) flow paths includes a first radial hole to be aligned with a firstof the input ports of the barrel and a second radial hole to be alignedwith the output port of the barrel. The barrel includes positionidentifiers at a first end of the barrel. The flow rate of a fluid isselected by rotating the axle such that a reference point on a first endof the axle is aligned with a position identifier at the first end ofthe barrel. The apparatus further includes a key to engage a first endof the axle so as to aid a user in rotating the axle about the axis. Thekey includes one or more pins, each pin to be inserted into a respectiveslot at a first end of the axle, the key to aid a user in rotating theaxle about the axis. The barrel includes notches at a first end of thebarrel, and the key includes a stub to engage the notches at the firstend of the barrel as the axle rotates about the axis, wherein theengagement of a notch by the stub provides a tactile feedback that isrepresentative of a flow rate selection. The barrel includes notches ata first end of the barrel, and the axle includes a stub to engage thenotches at the first end of the barrel as the axle rotates about theaxis, wherein the engagement of a notch by the stub provides a tactilefeedback that is representative of a flow rate selection. The axleincludes a lock at a first end of the axle, and the key includes a pegto be inserted into the lock at the first end of the axle and snappedoff within the lock such that rotation of the axle about the axis isprohibited. The key includes a tab lock that, in an activated state,restricts rotation of the axle about the axis. Each flow path is furtherdefined by axial drain channels, and wherein a flow rate of fluid isselected by rotating the axle to a position so that a set of radialholes and axial drain channels are in alignment with one or more portsof the barrel. The interior cavity of the axle is in fluid communicationwith a destination of the fluid through a delivery line coupled to theoutput port of the barrel when a rotation of the axle results in anaxial drain channel of the axle being in alignment with the output portof the barrel. The axle includes 2^(N) flow paths, where N is an integergreater than or equal to two, and wherein a first of the 2^(N) flowpaths includes a first axial drain channel to be aligned with a first ofthe input ports of the barrel and a second axial drain channel to bealigned with the output port of the barrel.

In general, in one aspect, an apparatus for selecting a flow rate of afluid includes a holding reservoir including an input reservoir port andoutput reservoir ports, the input reservoir port for introducing thefluid into the holding reservoir, each output reservoir port fordispensing fluid from the holding reservoir, an axle including anelongated cylindrical member having 2^(N) flow paths, where N is aninteger greater than or equal to two, each flow path being defined by acorresponding set of radial holes, each set of radial holes comprisingat least one radial hole that extends substantially between an outersurface of the axle and an interior cavity of the axle, a barrelincluding an elongated cylindrical member within which the axle isdisposed, the barrel having input barrel ports and an output barrelport, the barrel being configured to enable the axle to rotate about anaxis of rotation that extends along a length of the axle, Nfluid-carrying channels, each fluid-carrying channel being coupled to arespective one of the output reservoir ports and a respective one of theinput barrel ports, and a housing having a chamber within which theholding reservoir, the axle, the barrel, and the fluid-carrying channelsare disposed, wherein a flow rate of a fluid is selected by rotating theaxle to a position so that a set of radial holes is in alignment withone or more ports of the barrel and the holding reservoir is in fluidcommunication with the interior cavity of the axle via one or morefluid-carrying channels.

Implementations may include one or more of the following features. Theholding reservoir is in fluid communication with a source of the fluidthrough a delivery line coupled to the input reservoir port. Theinterior cavity of the axle is in fluid communication with a destinationof the fluid through a delivery line coupled to the output barrel portwhen a rotation of the axle results in a radial hole of the axle beingin alignment with the output barrel port. The set of radial holescorresponding to a first of the 2 ^(N) flow paths includes only oneradial hole. The set of radial holes corresponding to a first of the 2^(N) flow paths includes a first radial hole to be aligned with a firstof the input barrel ports and a second radial hole to be aligned withthe output barrel port. Each fluid-carrying channel includes a microbore tube that controls a rate at which the fluid from the holdingreservoir passes through the fluid-carrying channel. The apparatusfurther includes a key to engage a first end of the axle so as to aid auser in rotating the axle about the axis. The barrel and at least aportion of the housing form an integral unit. The holding reservoir andat least a portion of the housing form an integral unit.

Other features and advantages of the invention are apparent from thefollowing description, and from the claims.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1-6 show flow controllers and associated components.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1, a flow controller 100 regulates a flow of fluid 102from a source, e.g., a fluid pump 104, to a final receiving point, e.g.,a patient 106. In the context of a patient receiving medication, theflow controller 100 enables the patient 106 or a caregiver, e.g., aphysician, to adjust a dose of medication to be administered to thepatient 106 as is appropriate during the duration of the therapy. Theflow controller 100 may be dimensioned so as to be worn by the patient106, e.g., strapped onto the wrist (or arm) of the patient 106, thusallowing the flow controller 100 to be easily portable.

FIGS. 2-4 illustrate implementations of the flow controller 100.Referring to FIGS. 2A and 2B, the flow controller 100 includes a lid 108and a base 110. The lid 108 and the base 110 can be manufactured (e.g.,injection molded) using a polycarbonate resin or any other suitablematerial. Taken together, the lid 108 and the base 110 form a housingthat encloses components of the flow controller 100. As shown in FIG.2B, the base 110 includes a clip 114 that can be affixed to an arm orwrist band without requiring a docking module.

Referring also to FIGS. 3A and 3B, fluid 102 from the fluid pump 104enters the flow controller 100 at a first end (e.g., the “pump end”),passes through one or more fluid-carrying channels 112 a, 112 b, 112 c,and exits the flow controller at a second end (e.g., the “patient end”).A holding reservoir 116 disposed at the pump end of the flow controller100 receives fluid 102 from the fluid pump 104 through a first deliveryline that is coupled to an input port 118 of the holding reservoir 116.The holding reservoir 116 can be an injection molded container likecompartment with minimal dead volume and a welded top lid. The holdingreservoir 116 has three output ports 120 a, 120 b, 120 c, each toreceive a first end of a fluid-carrying channel 112 a, 112 b, 112 c,respectively. Although the flow controller 100 is illustrativelydepicted with three fluid-carrying channels 112 a, 112 b, 112 c, theflow controller 100 may be implemented with N number of fluid-carryingchannels, where N is an integer greater than or equal to two.

In the example of FIG. 3A, each fluid-carrying channel 112 a, 112 b, 112c is formed using a combination of silicone tubes 122 and a glass microbore tube 124. The silicone tubes 122 of the fluid-carrying channels 112a, 112 b, 112 c may be identical; the glass micro bore tubes 124 of therespective fluid-carrying channels 112 a, 112 b, 112 c may be ofdifferent lengths, diameters, or combinations thereof. As shown in FIG.3A, a structure 126 acts as a support element to hold the fluid-carryingchannels 112 a, 112 b, 112 c (more specifically, the glass micro boretube 124) in place on the base 110 of the flow controller 100. A barrel132 is disposed at the patient end of the flow controller 100. Thebarrel can be manufactured using a polycarbonate resin or any othersuitable material. In the implementation of FIG. 3A, the barrel 132 is agenerally elongated cylindrical hollow member that has three input ports134 a, 134 b, 134 c disposed on its outer surface. Each input port 134a, 134 b, 134 c is configured to receive a second end of afluid-carrying carrying channel 112 a, 112 b, 112 c, respectively. Thebarrel 132 also has an output port 136 to receive a second delivery linethat is coupled to the final receiving point, e.g., a patient 106. Aseries of notches and/or position identifiers (e.g., position 1 throughposition 6 as described below in relation to FIG. 6) may be provided atone end of the barrel 132. Each notch or position identifier representsa flow rate selection as described below. Although the actual number ofnotches (or position identifiers) may vary from flow controller to flowcontroller, up to 2^(N) number of notches may be provided, where N isthe number of fluid-carrying channels 112 provided within the flowcontroller 100.

An axle 138 may be manufactured using a high-density polyethylenematerial that is self-lubricating. Generally, the dimensions of the axle138 and the barrel 132 are selected so that the axle 138 is free torotate about an axis that extends along the length of the axle 138(i.e., about the longitudinal axis of the axle 138) when the axle 138 isdisposed within the barrel 132, while maintaining a close fit between anouter surface of the axle 138 and an inner surface of the barrel 132. Inthe implementation of FIG. 3A, the axle 138 is a generally elongatedcylindrical member that includes a number of radial holes and axialdrain channels. Each radial hole extends between the outer surface ofthe axle 138 and an interior cavity of the axle 138. When the axle 138is rotated such that a set of radial holes of the axle 138 is alignedwith one or more input ports 134 a, 134 b, 134 c of the barrel 132, theinterior cavity of the axle 138 and subsequently the output port 136, isin fluid communication with the holding reservoir 116 via one or morefluid-carrying channels 112 a, 112 b, 112 c and the effective axialdrain channels.

In the example of FIG. 3B, the fluid-carrying channels 112 a, 112 b, 112c (of FIG. 3A) are replaced with microbore tubings 160 made of polymermaterials. As the inner lumen of polymer-based tubings are generallylarger than glass tubes, the necessary lengths to achieve practical flowrates result in these tubes being coiled and taped with adhesive tapes161.

To aid the patient 106 or caregiver in rotating the axle 138 so that aset of radial holes of the axle 138 is perfectly aligned with one ormore input ports 134 a, 134 b, 134 c of the barrel 132 thereby selectinga desired flow rate, one end of the axle 138 may be manufactured withslots 140 to receive pins 142 of a key 144, an example of which is shownin FIG. 4. The axle 138 includes stubs 146 that glide over the innersurface of the barrel 132 upon which the notches are formed to providetactile feedback representative of flow rate selections. In someimplementations the stubs can be built onto the key 144 instead of theaxle (not shown). In some implementations, once the axle 138 is rotatedto a position (e.g., position 1 through position 6) indicative of thedesired flow rate, a peg 148 of the key 144 may be inserted into a lock150 of the axle 138 and snapped off to prevent further rotation of theaxle 138, an example of which is shown in FIG. 5. In so doing, the peg148 serves as a safety mechanism to prevent changes to the flow rateselection, e.g., by the patient 106. In some implementations, the key144 includes a tab lock (not shown) that is engageable with the barrelto prevent rotation of the axle 138 while the tab lock is activated.Unlike the snapped off peg 148, the tab lock may be deactivated andreactivated to change the flow rate selection any of times during thecourse of therapy. The pins 148 of the key 144 are also engageable withthe lid 108 for use in stowing the key 144 when the key 144 is not beingused.

Suppose, for example, that the glass micro bore tubes 124 are selectedso that the fluid-carrying channel 112 a has a flow rate of 0.5 ml/hr,the fluid-carrying channel 112 b has a flow rate of 1.0 ml/hr, and thefluid-carrying channel 112 c has a flow rate of 2.0 ml/hr. In operation,e.g., as depicted in FIG. 6:

-   -   1. When the axle 138 is rotated to position 6, radial hole 155 c        of the axle 138 is aligned with the input port 134 c of the        barrel 132. The input ports 134 a and 134 b are in fluid        communication with the radial hole 155 c of the axle 138 via the        axial drain channel 154 d. The radial hole 155 c of the axle 138        is in fluid communication with the output port 146 of the barrel        132 via the axial drain channel 154 c. The interior cavity of        the axle 138 is in fluid communication with the holding        reservoir 116 via three fluid-carrying channels 112 a, 112 b,        112 c resulting in a flow rate of 3.5 ml/hr being passed to the        second delivery line.    -   2. When the axle 138 is rotated to position 5, radial hole 155 c        of the axle 138 is aligned with the input port 134 c of the        barrel 132. The input port 134 b is in fluid communication with        the radial hole 155 c of the axle 138 via the axial drain        channel 154 c of the axle 138. The radial hole 155 c of the axle        is in fluid communication with the output port 146 of the barrel        132 via the axial drain channel 154 d. The interior cavity of        the axle 138 is in fluid communication with the holding        reservoir 116 via two fluid-carrying channels 112 b, 112 c        resulting in a flow rate of 3.0 ml/hr being passed to the second        delivery line.    -   3. When the axle 138 is rotated to position 4, radial hole 155 b        of the axle 138 is aligned with the input port 134 b of the        barrel 132. In this position, the radial hole 155 b of the axle        138 is also aligned with the output port 136 of the barrel 132.        The interior cavity of the axle 138 is in fluid communication        with the holding reservoir 116 via one fluid-carrying channels        112 b resulting in a flow rate of 1.0 ml/hr being passed to the        second delivery line.    -   4. When the axle 138 is rotated to position 3, radial hole 155 b        of the axle 138 is aligned with the input port 134 b of the        barrel 132. The input port 134 a is in fluid communication with        the radial hole 155 b via the axial drain channel 154 b of the        axle 138. The interior cavity of the axle 138 is in fluid        communication with the holding reservoir 116 via two        fluid-carrying channels 112 a and 112 b resulting in a flow rate        of 1.5 ml/hr being passed to the second delivery line.    -   5. When the axle 138 is rotated to position 2, radial hole 155 a        of the axle 138 is aligned with the input port 134 a of the        barrel 132. The radial hole 155 a is in fluid communication with        the output port 136 of the barrel 132 via the axial drain        channel 154 a. The interior cavity of the axle 138 is in fluid        communication with the holding reservoir 116 via one        fluid-carrying channel 112 a resulting in a flow rate of 0.5        ml/hr being passed to the second delivery line.    -   6. When the axle 138 is rotated to position 1, radial hole 155 a        of the axle 138 is aligned with the input port 134 a of the        barrel 132. The radial hole 155 a of the axle is in fluid        communication with the input port 134 b of the barrel 132 via        the axial drain channel 154 a but there is no fluid connection        between the radial hole 155 a and the output port 136 of the        barrel 132. Accordingly, no fluid (i.e., a flow rate of 0 ml/hr)        is passed to the second delivery line.

When the axle 138 is between discrete positions and none of the radialholes 134 are aligned with the input ports 134 a, 134 b, 134 c and theoutput port 136, fluid 102 from the fluid-carrying channels 112 iseffectively blocked from entering the axle 138 and fluid communicationbetween the interior cavity of the axle 138 and the holding reservoir116 cannot be achieved.

Referring again to FIGS. 4 and 5, the design of the axle can include endrings 152 matching grooves 153 on the inner side of the barrel. Thisensures a tight seal and avoids leaks. The radius of curvature on therings 152 will typically be smaller on the first ring that enters thebarrel during assembly to ensure that the fit of the ring to the innergroove 153 is not compromised as a result of force applied to push theaxle into the barrel.

In some implementations, the axle 138 and the barrel 132 aremanufactured such that an insertion of the axle 138 into the barrel 132results in the axle 138 being at position 1. Each 45° rotation of theaxle 138 changes the flow rate selection by one position. For example, a45° clockwise rotation of the axle 138 from position 1 to position 2changes the flow rate from 0 to 0.5 ml/hr, a 45° counter-clockwiserotation of the axle 138 from position 1 to position 8 changes the flowrate from 0 to 3.5 ml/hr. In some implementations, the axle 138 and thebarrel 132 are manufactured to restrict rotation of the axle 138 in onedirection (e.g., clockwise-only or counter-clockwise only).

In some implementations, there are more than 2^(N) discrete positionsbetween which the axle 138 may be rotated, with the corresponding numberof flow paths and flow rates. With this arrangement, more incrementalflow rates can be attained, e.g., 0.75 ml/hr, or 1.25 ml/hr flow ratesfor finer flow control of the 0.5 ml/hr and the 1.0 ml/hr fluid-carryingchannels 112 of the example described above.

In some implementations, the barrel 132 and a portion of the housing(e.g., the lid 108 or the base 110) are manufactured as an integralunit. In some implementations, the holding reservoir 116 and a portionof the housing (e.g., the lid 108 or the base 110) are manufactured asan integral unit.

The ports of the holding reservoir 116 and the barrel 132 may bemanufactured to have identical physical characteristics/dimensions sothat fluid-carrying channels 112 of a particular type (e.g., siliconetubes having an internal diameter of ID mm) may be received by any ofthe ports without modification. By swapping out the micro bore tubes 124of the fluid-carrying channels 112, any number of combinations of flowrates may be provided using the same flow controller.

In one example scenario, a hospital, clinic, or pharmacy (collectivelyreferred to as “medication dispensing facility”) stocks a single type offlow controller device that includes a lid, a base, a barrel, an axle,and a holding reservoir. The medication dispensing facility also stocksfluid-carrying channels formed by a single type of silicone tube(compatible with the ports of the device's barrel and holding reservoir)and micro bore tubes of various diameters and/or lengths. Eachfluid-carrying channel is labeled with a flow rate that is based on itsmicro bore tube. For ease of assembly, a chart may be provided thatdepicts various combinations of fluid-carrying channels that may beassembled within the device to achieve desired flow rates. The chart mayspecify which ports of the holding reservoir and the barrel eachfluid-carrying channel of a combination is to be coupled to in order toensure that a subsequent rotation of the axle to a particular positionresults in a desired flow rate selection.

The flow controller 100 may be used with any portable, disposablemechanical/elastomeric infusion pump (defined by a fill capacity andflow rate) to provide selectable flow rates, thereby reducing oreliminating the need for medication dispensing facilities to stock awide range of pumps.

Particular implementations of the subject matter described in thisspecification have been described. Other implementations are within thescope of the following claims. For example, the application of the flowcontroller is not necessarily limited to a medical treatment context. Insome implementations, the holding reservoir includes multiple inputports, each to receive a fluid from a different fluid pump. Such anarrangement allows for increased flexibility in therapy, e.g., such asin situations where multi-drug therapy is desirable.

1. An apparatus for selecting a flow rate of a fluid, the apparatuscomprising: an axle comprising an elongated cylindrical member havingflow paths, each flow path being defined by a corresponding set ofradial holes, each set of radial holes comprising at least one radialhole that extends substantially between an outer surface of the axle andan interior cavity of the axle; and a barrel comprising an elongatedcylindrical member within which the axle is disposed, the barrel havinginput ports and an output port, the barrel being configured to enablethe axle to rotate about an axis of rotation that extends along a lengthof the axle, wherein a flow rate of a fluid is selected by rotating theaxle to a position so that a set of radial holes is in alignment withone or more ports of the barrel.